LABOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14222, 13 June 1910, Page 2

LABOUR.

TRADES 1 COUNCIL. I At a meeting of the South Canterbury Trades' and Labour Council two new delegates were received, it was dccidi-d to send a message of sympathy to Air G. Gould and family in his late bereavement. A considerable amount ol correspondence was read, among, it b.'-ing a request to the Premier to bring legislation to bear so that- no restrictions be placed on labour IkkliVs that prevent them from taking political action. A reply had been received from the Prea'ier saying that he would carefullv consider the request. Air Reader' was selected as a delegate to ropre-ent the Council at the coming conference in Auckland. A resolution was passed strongly protesting against the ' importation of boy labour for rarm work. IMPORTING HOYS AND GIRLS. The, Timaru branch of the Farmers' Fnino discussed a novel subject on Saturday, namely, the importation of boys from England, the matter being talked over in much the same way as if it were the importation of sheep, horses or cattle that was under consideration. The Department of Labour forwarded a letter in regard to the matter, stating that it was proposed to place the imported lads in agricultural districts with farmers, who would provide, in addition to food and clothing, a weekly wage. and undertake to give them a training iu farm work generally so as to lit them to become settlers. The Government had decided to institute enquiries to ascertain whether there is a demand for the services of such lads, and if so, to bring out 50 carefully seleeted boys from lo to 19 years old towards the cud of Seotember. The lads will be all town bred, and have followed such occupations as telegranh messengers, porters, errand boys, shop and office cleaners, etc They know nothing of farming, but are physically strong. They are to by drawn from the larger manufacturing towns jf England. A good deal of discussion took place on this letter. Air Talbot said there was no doubt that it could do no harm to import 50 boys by way of a trial. Tt was certain i that they could all find employment I within a week of landing here, and if j they were were willing workers and anxious to get on. they could do well for themselves. The Wellington province had already undertaken to find places for all the boys if they are imported, and Auckland had also offered to take them. The Labour people had been strongly protesting against bringing out the boys, and Air T. E. Taylor had as usual taken upon himself to enter into the fray. Air Kennedy, the labour representative in Christehurch, : said these boys were not wanted, and ■ that plenty of farmers wanted boys to j work for nothing, while others paid the ; miserable wage, of 2s per week. This, | said All- Talbot, was not in accordance ; with facts. Then- might bo some mean ! farmers, but he was quite sure that good lads who were willing to work would all be able to find profitable employment. Young fellows from IS years of age upwards could easily command from 20s to 30s per week. There were, however, some who would not work, and all such were only a nuisance on a farm, and would be'dear even at 2s a week. Air Orbell said he did not think anyone should take notice of anything a man like Air Kennedy said. He was surprised that the Labour people put- ( a man like that forward.

Air Henderson spoke in support of the proposed importation, and sajd that girls should also be imported. He found it even more difficult to get inside help than he'ln on the farm. Air "Withe.ll said that' there are U million more women than men in Great Britain, so that there was an exportable surplus.

Air Orbell, while, agreeing that Xew Zealand could do with inioortations of both liovs and girls, nointed out that t would be a rather difficult matter to import girls. Boys could knock about and do for themselves easily enough, but to bring out a lot of young girls would be rather a serious matter. Some one would require to come out in charge of them, and it would be next to impossible to keep control over them after they got here. If any were brought out. they should not be tinder the age of 18 years. Tie was satisfied that if 20 boys landed at Timarn to-day, they could all find einnlovinenf. within a wr-elt. " '

Mr Tnlhnt agreed. and addod that employment could also lie i'omul for koiih? hundreds of e.irls. Mr Henderson named :i. resident of Timiini who he said had recently been Home, where he found thai, hundreds of fiirls from IK to 30 years of ay,-e were \v«.rkin- for from GO to £S a year. Had lie lieen able to obtain l)ermissi:>n from the Government to do so, he could have brought out 000 such girls witli him. He had brought out two or three, and they were doing well here. Mr Orbell said that another resident of Timaru had brought out one or two, and ho had his trouble for nothing, as after remaining in his employment for a short, time they left him. The meeting unanimously derided to support the proposal for the importation of oO hoys. COTTON TRADE CRISIS. Press Asuociiition-Uy Telecraph-C'opyrignt Received o p.m., June 12th". LONDON, June 11. The situation regarding the threatened strike was more hopeful after the conference of representatives of the

Board oi Trade. Hie Labour Planters and men at Huddersfiel.l. ACCIDENT IXSURAXCE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON", June 12. A circular issued by the New Zealand Federated Builders' and Contractors' Association states that an important reduction oi premium rates for accident insurance has just been obtained equivalent to 33 per cent., and builders and contractors are urged to give their business to the office making, the reduction. The tariff rale was 22s per cent, until it was seen how the new Compensation for Accidents to Workers Act was going to affect companies. Then it. was reduced to 20s per cent, at which rate it stood for some time. In Dunodin. however, forward contracts- made a few years ago at a rate of 1 Is per cent, are in operation at the present- time, but they are on the point of expiry. The tarilf reduction movement was negotiated in Auckland. Iv. is complained in the circular that builders have for a considerable time oast, owing io a combination of insurance offices been paving a much higher premium than they had been previously paying. EfI fin-is to obtain a reduction of the tariff I rate have been made from time lo time, but up lo now have been unI successful.